Sealing arrangement for rotary mechanism



Nov. 20, 1962 F. wANKEL l-TrAL sEALING ARRANGEMENT FoR ROTARY MECHANISMFiled Sept. 16, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet l la Irrllv `dl Nov. 20, 1962 F.wANKEL ErAL 3,064,880 I SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR ROTARY MEcHANIsM t FiledSept. 16, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTDRNEYE Nov. 20, 1962 F. WANKEL ETALSEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR ROTARY MECHANISM Filed sept. 1e, 195e 8Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTO S' ATTDFlNEYEI Nov. 20, 1962 F. wANKl-:L Erm.

SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR ROTARY MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORSFELIX WANKEL WALTER` FRUEDE I BY ERNST HDEPPNER 'rIJRIMYE Nov. 20, 1962F. WANKEL TAL 3,064,880

SEALING ARRANGEMENT FoR ROTARY MECHANISM Filed Sept. 16, 1958 8Sheets-Sheet 5 Z) E /WM -49 JNVENTORS KEI. X 'EEDE ATTURNEYE Nov. 20,1962 F. wANKr-:L Erm.

SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR ROTARY MECHANISM Filed Sept. 16, 1958 8Sheets-Sheet vE5 ATTURNEJE' Nov. 20, 1962 F. wANKEL ETAL 3,064,880

SEALING ARRANGEMEN'; FOR ROTARY MECHANISM Filed Sept. 16, 1958 8ShBtS-Sheet 7 ENToRsy FELIIB(V WANKEL WALTER FREE BY ERNET HDEPPN ,f d/f ATTRNEYS Y Nov. 20, 1962 F. WANKEL Erm. 3,064,880

SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR ROTARY MECHANISM Filed Sept. 16, 1958 8Sheets-Sheet 8 A TURNEYE asias Patented Nov. 20, 1952 aceras-a A SEALENGARQANGEMENT FR ROTARY y, Y MECHANHSM Y Felix Wankel, Lindau (Bodensee),Walter Froede, Neckarsuini, Wrttemberg, and Ernst Hoeppner, Lindau(Bodensee), ail in Germany, assignors to NSUMotoren- Werl-:eAktiengesellschaft, Neckarsulm, and wankel G.m.b'.H., Lindau (Bodensee),Germany Filed Sept. 16, 1958, Ser. No. 761,339 Ciainis priority,application Germany Sept. 19, 1957 33 Claims. (Cl. Bil-140) The presentinvention relates broadly to the art of rotary' mechanisms.

More particularly, this invention relates to a rotary mechanism of thetype including relatively rotatable, inner and outer bodies which havecooperating surfaces that during relative movement deline variablevolume chambers.

Specifically, this invention relates to sealing arrangements for suchmechanisms in which high pressure and' temperature conditions exist inthese chambers either permanently or temporarily, depending on thespecitic form of the mechanism, that is, whether it is an internalcombustion engine, a compressor, or the like.

The seal components in such rotary mechanisms are subjected tocentrifugal force, pressure from within the chambers, and wear etect,and these factors initiate deilections, distortions and strains on thesealing components. ln addition, temperature conditions initiateexpansive and contrastive distortions in the mechanism. Therefore, theseal components should have such resiliency as to be able to compensatefor such distortions and still be effective in sealing.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to such rotaryv mechanismsand comprises a sealing arrangement that is an improvement over thesealing means described and claimed in prior iiled application SerialNo. 654,840, on April 24, 1957, in the name of Felix Wankel and entitledSeals for Working Spaces of Rotary Piston Engines, now Patent No.2,880,045.

Therefore, this invention has for a primary object to provide a Sealingarrangement for such mechanisms constructed and arranged to provide aneffective, continuous line of sealing contact for such chambers.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a sealingarrangement for rotary mechanisms of the type set forth, which includes,radially movable edge seal means, axially movable, resilient end sealmeans and intermediate, axially movable sealing bodies interposedbetween and in sealing engagement with said edge seal means and said endseal means, respectively, all said seal means and bodies being assistedin maintaining sealing engagement by the pressure conditions in thechambers.

It is a more specific object to provide in a rotary mechanism of thetype described which includes an inner rotor having a plurality ofaxially grooved, apex portions, at least two cooperably shaped, radiallymovable seal components in each groove, a resilient end seal meanscarried by said inner rotor adjacent its periphery for sealing relationbetween the rotor and the adjacent end face of the outer body, andintermediate sealing means associated with the grooves, and inrespective sealing relation with the said aforementioned apex sealconiponents and end seal means.

It is a further specic object of the invention to provide saidintermediate sealing means with an external configuration adapted tofacilitate sealing engagement with said edge seal means and end sealmeans, respectively.

Consistent with the foregoing object, the invention provides a sealingbody with surfaces adapted to make an overlapping sealing engagementwith a component or components of said end seal means.

It is a further object of the invention to providea sealing arrangementfor a rotary mechanism of the type referred to, and in which the innerrotor has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apex portions eachhaving an axial groove extending therethrough, edge sealing means withinthe grooves including at least two axially movable, sealing components,end face sealing means carried by at least one end face of the innerrotor and having 'a ti'rst sealing surface forming means extendingradially of the axis of said inner rotor and a second sealing surfaceforming means extending parallel to said axis, and an intermediatelsealing body operably associated with each groove for axial movementwith respect thereto and including surfaces in cooperative sealingrelation with said lirst and said second sealing surfaceforming means.

It is an additional specitie object to provide said rst and secondsealing surface-forming means in the form of an integral componenthaving at least two legs, one extending radially of the rotor axis andthe other parallel thereto.

Consistent with the immediately aforementioned object, it is a stillmore speciiie object of the invention to arrange said integral componentin a series of separate segmental components, each extending betweenadjacent apex portions and in sealing engagement with the intermediate,axially movable 'sealing body at said adjacent apex portions.

An additional object of the invention is to arrange the various sealingcomponents with relation to the periphery of the rotor and the adjacentend face of the outer body of the rotary mechanism, so that the ratio ofsurface area of sealing contact with said' end face to the surface areasubjected to pressure within the chambers is between 2 and 1, whereby toprovide an eiective seal withv minimum frictional wear characteristics.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a connectionbetween the end face sealing means and the rotor in the form of atoothed coupling which ensures that the end face sealing means remainsin phase with the rotation of the rotor, without transferring any loadon the intermediate sealing bodies.

In connection with the aforegoing objects, it is to be pointed out thatthe shape of the intermediate sealing body that is cooperatively relatedwith the radially movable apex sealing components and the axiallymovable end face sealing components can be varied as desired, so long aseffective sealing contact can be maintained between intermediate sealingbodies and that portion of the end face sealing components that extendparallel to the axis of the rotor. Thus, the contact with the saidsealing bodies can be in an abutting relation, a tangentialoverlappingrelation, or a socketed relation.

Further and more specic objects will be apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsillustrating the invention as applied to a rotary internal combustionengine of the type Set forth in prior tiled U.S. application Serial No.646,752, iiled March 18, 1957, in the names of Felix Wankel and ErnstHoeppner, and entitled Rotary Piston Four-Cycle Internal CombustionEngine and now abandoned, the subject matter of said abandonedapplication being included in a continuation-impart application SerialNo. 774,517 tiled November 17, 1958, and now Patent No. 2,988,065.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in sectiontransversely of the axis of a rotary engine, and illustrating thesealing arrangement of the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, p

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on an enlargedscale, taken along line 3 3 of FIG- URE 5, and illustrating the sealingcomponents of the invention,

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the arrangement shown inFIGURE 3, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, as viewed from the left andwith the left-hand end Wall of the outer element removed,

FIGURE 5 is a view partly in elevation and partly in horizontal section,illustrating the inner element or rotor as viewed from above an apexportion thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 6 6 ofFIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inner rotor and itsassociated sealing components shown in FIGURES 3 to 6;

FIGURES 8 to 11 are views respectively similar to FIGURES 3 to 5 and 7,illustrating a modified form of sealing arrangement,

FIGURE. 12 is an end elevational view illustrating a modified rotorstructure and another modification of the sealing arrangement,

FIGURES 13 to 15 are enlarged fragmentary crosssectional viewsillustrating one apex portion of the inner rotor and respectivelyshowing modified forms of the additional or intermediate sealing andcoupling bodies of the invention,

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating a portion of thestructure shown in FIGURE 12,

FIGURES 17 and 18 are sectional views taken respectively on lines 17--17and 18-18 of FIGURE 16,

FIGURE 19k is .an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating themodification shown in FIGURES 16 to 18,

FIGURES 20 to 23 are fragmentary longitudinal sectional views takenalong lines circumferentially displaced from an apex portion andillustrating modified forms of resilient sealing means interposedbetween the end face of the rotor yand the end wall of the outer body,

FIGURE 24 is a fragmentary end elevational view of an apex portion of arotor illustrating a modified form of sealing arrangement, Y

FIGURES 25 and 26 are fragmentary sectional views taken respectivelyalong lines 25-25 and 26--26 of FIGURE 24,

FIGURE 27 is an end elevational view of one end face of the rotor ofFIGS. 1 and 2 and diagrammatically illustrating pressure conditions, and

FIGURE 28 is a sectional view taken along the line 28-28 of FIGURE 27.

As shown in the drawings, FIGURES l and 2, a rotary engine to which thesealing arrangement of the invention is applicable includes a stationaryhousing H within which is journalled an outer rotary lbody OR that ishollow, and that has the inner surface of its axially extending wall 2!)shaped in the form of a two-lobed epitrochoid and has axially-spaced endwalls 21 and 22. The outer rotor is journalled by suitable bearing BOfor rotation about an axis M1. The inner rotor 1 has its outer axiallyextending surface shaped with three apex portions, which duringoperation make sliding contact with the inner surface of the wall 20 ofthe outer rotor. The inner rotor 1 is journalled by suitable bearings BIfor rotation about an axis M2 that is eccentric of but parallel to theaxis M1 ofthe outer rotor. Suitable means such as gearing G interconnectthe two rotors, so that they rotate in the same direction, shown by thearrows in FIGURE 1, at a fixed speed ratio of 3:2. The facing surfacesof the respective inner and outer rotors define in operation a pluralityof variable volume working chambers, the borders of which must besealed. The inner rotor, in this example, is provided with inlet portmeans IP, through which a fuel-air mixture is fed to the workingchambers. The inner surface of each of the opposite end walls 21, 22 isprovided with a transfer channel TC for directing the fuel mixture intothe chambers in accordance with the cycle of operation determined by thephase movement of the inner rotor 1, the cornbustion gases dischargingfrom the Working chambers through an outlet port shown at OP. Suitableignition means such as spark plugs SP are disposed in recesses CO,provided in the axially extending surface of the inner rotor between theapex portions thereof.

In connection with this invention, it is to be pointed out that therotary engine shown is not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. Forexample, the outer body OR of the engine could be a stationary housingand the inner body 1 a rotor. Likewise, the cooperative facing surfacesof the outer body and rotor can be shaped differently than as shown, asindicated in the said prior tiled applications. The invention is furthernot to be limited to trochoidal shaped components nor to combustionengines, since it is applicable to any rotary mechanism which includesshaped surfaces that define in operation variable volume workingchambers, the borders of which must be adequately sealed.

In the example illustrated, each apex portion of the inner rotoraccommodates an edge sealing means EM, and each end face of the innerrotor is provided with end face sealing means FM. It should be notedthat although, as illustrated, end face sealing means FM are provided ateach end face of the rotor it is only essential to provide such end facesealing means at one end face provided the mating surfaces of the otherend face of 'the rotor and the adjacent end wall 21 or 22 aresuihciently flat for good sealing engagement. With this latterarrangement the gas pressure against the rotor end face provided withthe end face seal is elfectiverto press the other end face of the rotorinto sealing engagement with the adjacent end wall. Therefore, thepresent invention comprehends an edge sealing means EM at each apexportion of the inner rotor and a face sealing means FM at at least oneend face of the inner rotor. The longitudinal dimensions of `the innerrotor is therefore subject to variation in size to dependence upon thenumber of end seal means utilized. It is to be understood, however, thatthe opposite surfaces of the inner rotor in the direction of its axisalways have a dimension therebetween less than the space between the endwalls 21, 22 of the outer rotor.

One form of the sealing means of the invention, generally indicated inFIGURES 1 and 2, is more particularly illustrated in FIGURES 3 to 7, inwhich the-housing H is not shown, and the outer lbody OR includes theaxially-shaped end Walls 21, 22 and an inter-connecting l peripheralwall or shell 20. The inner rotor is shown at 1, and each apex portionthereof is provided with a groove preferably extending radially inwardlyfrom the edge thereof and extending in an axial direction from one rotorend face to the other. This groove 2 accommodates strip sealing means 3,4 constituting one form of edge sealing means. The groove 2 is enlargedat its inner end to accommodate intermediate sealing and coupling bodiesthat cooperate with the respective edge seals and face seals. The faceseals comprise, in the form shown, end plates 12 and 13 that areresilient, so as to be capable of conforming to any deformations thatmay exist in the end walls 21, 22 or which may occur during operation ofthe engine. These end plates are disposed in the space between theopposite end faces of the rotor 1 and the adjacent inner surfaces of endwalls 21, 22. The space accommodating an end sealing plate 12 or 13 isgreater than the thickest part of the end plate in the direction of theaxis of the engine, so that these resilient end plates can move axiallyin response to pressure conditions occurring in the working chambers toapply the sealing faces 12', 13' against the respective end walls of theouter body. In order to bridge the gap between one end face of rotor 1and the sealing plate 12, the invention provides a sealing surfaceforming means extending from apex portion to apex portion comprised inthis form by resilient metal strip means 14, 15 accommodated inoppositely facing, axially aligned, similarly shaped grooving in therotor 1 and end plate 12, respectively. Similar strip means 16, 17 arearranged between the rotor 1 and end plate 13. The inner surfaces ofthese resilient stripV means during operation are pressed into sealingengagement against the surfaces of their accommodating grooving, so asto Seal the gap between the rotor and each end plate 12 or 13. Toprovide a continuous effective sealing line of contact around theperiphery of the working chambers, the edge sealing elements 3 and 4 ateach apex portion are capable of axial movement, and in this form of theinvention are provided with a meeting line of Contact that extendssubstantially diagonally of the groove 2 as viewed from above. Due tothe relationship of the meeting line between the edge sealing elementsor strips 3, 4 axial movement thereof during operation leaves gaps 5 and6 at opposite ends of the inner rotor. These gaps must be sealed, andaccordingly sealing components in the form of blocks 7 and 8 are mountedfor Iaxial movement beneath the opposite ends of sealing strips 3 and 4to underlie and seal the gaps 5 and 6. To interrelate the edge sealingand end sealing in maintaining the continuous effective sealing line ofcontact, intermediate sealing and coupling bodies 9 and 16 of simplegeometrical configuration are arranged in the enlarged inner portions ofgrooves 2. In this embodiment these bodies are cylindrical, and have agroove 9', 11)' extending inwards from their periphery to accommodateblocks 7 and 8, respectively. The outer end faces of the respectivebodies 9, 10 project through cut-out portions or slots in the adjacentend seal plates 12, 13 for sealing engagement with the inner surfaces ofthe end walls 21, 22 during operation. The gap bridging sealing stripmeans 14 to 17 make contacting engagement with the bodies 9 and 10. Inthe form illustrated, as shown in FIGURE 6, the bodies are provided witha notch or recess 18 that accommodates the end of the strips such as 14.This relationship is shown more clearly in FlGURE 7.

It is believed clear, therefore, that during operation gas pressureexisting in a working chamber such as W, FIGURE 4, is applied againstthe side face of sealing strip 3 to press sealing strip 4 against theadjacent face of groove 2, and also to extend the strips 3 and 4 axiallyto apply their end faces against the inner surfaces of the end walls 21,22. Gas will pass down inside groove 2 to enter grooves 9', 10' andspace 11 lbetween bodies 9 and 16 lto effect outward axial movement ofboth blocks 7 and 8 and bodies 9 and 1d, centrifugal force plus gaspressure maintaining sealing contact between the strips 3, 4 and blocks7, 8. The end plates 12 and 13 are pressed axially outwards by gaspressure applied on that portion thereof radially outwards of the strips14 to 17, and these strips are applied in sealing engagement against therespective end plate and rotor surfaces, and against the bodies 9, 10.

As clearly disclosed, the intermediate coupling and sealing bodies 9,11B are located close to the outer edge of each apex means so that theresilient sealing strips such as 14, can likewise Ibe located close tothe periphery of the rotor whereby the bodies 9, 10 cannot be projectedinto the fuel passages such as the transfer channel means TC. The endplates 12, 13 are ported to pass fuel from port means IP to the transferchannels TC.

A modified form of sealing relationship is disclosed in FIGURES 8 to l1.This form of the invention differs only in the relationship of theresilient sealing means disposed in the groove 2 and the means forsealing the space resulting from axial movement of these resilientsealing means. Thus, the sealing strip means that extend parallel to theaxis of the rotor 1 and are accommodated in grooves 2 again comprise twoseparate members 3', 4'. These members meet along |a plane that isapproximately radial to the axis of rotor 1. Instead of providingseparate block elements 7 and 3 to seal the gaps 5', 6' that occur whenthe strip means 3', 4' move axially apart, the respective strip meansare provided at one end with a depending, integral widened portion shownat 7', 3'. The widened portion 7' at one end of the strip means 3underlies the lower edge of the adjacent end of strip means d' so as toseal gap 5', whereas the enlarged portion 8' of strip means i underliesthe adjacent lower surface of strip means 3. This form of the inventionis otherwise similar to the arrangement of FIGURES 3 to 7 and themovement of the parts for sealing is likewise similar.

FIGURE l2 illustrates in end elevation a modified form of rotor 1 whichincludes a modied sealing arrangement also shown in the detail views ofFIGS. 16, 17, i8 and i9. 1n this form of the invention, at each apexportion of the rotor there is a projecting portion 1' that extendsaxially beyond the end face of the rotor to provide metal to metalcontact between rotor 1 and the edge sealing means along substantiallythe entire length of said sealing means to improve heat transferespecially from the end face portions of the edge seal means to theinner body. Further, to connect each sealing plate with the rotor duringrotation, a claw coupling arrangement indicated generally at CC isprovided on each side of each apex and adjacent the same. This clawcoupling arrangement for an end sealing plate includes toothed portionsor projections 38 extending axially from the adjacent end face of therotor and notches in said end plate having circumferentially spacededges 39, 40, see FIGURE 16, into which the projections 3S lit. Thisclaw coupling arrangement prevents relative rotation between rotor 1 andthe end sealing plates. In this form of the invention the sealing meansis more clearly shown in FEGURES 16 to A18. Each apex portion isprovided with a groove extending inwardly from its outer edge andextending in a direction parallel to the rotor axis from one face to theother of the rotor to accommodate sealing strip means including a rstpart 48 and a pair of triangular shaped parts 5i) disposed at oppositeends of said first part 43', each triangular part 5t) having an inclinedsurface indicated by the line 49 and facing a similarly inclined surfaceon the adjacent end of the part 4S with each said inclined surfacehaving a groove between its sides and running from one end to the otherof said surface and facing the corresponding groove in the other of saidsurfaces, aud a lling piece 51 is inserted in said facing grooves tobridge the junction of said inclined surfaces. The outer end of theinsert piece 51 has one face for sealing against the adjacent end wailof the outer body and another face for sealing against the peripheralwall 2t) of the outer body. It is clear, therefore, that relative axialmovement, responsive to gas pressure conditions, can be imparted to theedge sealing components 48, 59 and 51 while still maintaining aneffective continuous sealing line of contact with the surfaces of theouter body. The intermediate coupling and sealing bodies are of modifiedform and include a strip means 35, 35 of rectangular cross sectionaccommodated in a groove 36 extending axially of the inner body or rotor1 and a groove 37 extending inwardly from the undersurface of sealingstrip components 48 and 50. To bridge the gap 43 between these sealingbodies 35, 3'5' resilient metal strips 45 are interposed in oppositelyfacing similarly shaped grooves 46 in each of these intermediate bodies.As in the forms described previously, the end plates are mounted foraxial movement with respect to the adjacent rotor end faces andresilient sealing means 14', 15 bridge the gap between the end platesVand the rotor body and are disposed in grooving formed in thesecomponents. As clearly shown in FIGURES `16 and 17, the ends of theselast-mentioned resilient strip means that are adjacent the intermediatecoupling and sealing bodies such as 35 are widened or enlarged as shownat 41 and extend through a cut-out or slot formed in the sealing plate12 so that centrifugal force can maintain adequate sealing contactbetween the end faces of the resilient strip means 14', 15 and theintermediate body 35. The intermediate body part 35 has an end face 44that seals against the inner surface of end wall 22. In FIGURE 17 theresilient sealing strip means between the rotor body and the end plate,similar to strip means 15 is not shown in the grooving to the left ofbody 35 so that the clearance space 42 between the intermediate body 35and the grooving cut in the sealing plate 12 to accommodate this body 35is visible.

FIGURE 19 is a perspective view clearly illustrating the relationship ofFIGURES 16 to 18.

In connection with the arrangement shown in FIG- URES 16 to 19, thestrip means 14', 15 extending from the intermediate sealing body 35adjacent one apex portion to the intermediate sealing body at the nextapex portion are of laminar, overlapped construction so that theabutting sealing contact along the widened edge 41 will be maintainedindependent of diierences in total lengths of the strips 14', 15 inrelation to the peripheral extent of the grooving accommodating thesestrips. In other words each strip means such as 15 in FIGURE 19 has twolamina, each lamina having two parts such as 15a and 15b which can moverelatively apart toward the respective apex portions due to centrifugalforce. This movement leaves a gap g which is covered by the subjacentlamina part 15's. The same relationship of parts exists near the nextadjacent apex portion. Thus, the gaps between the two parts of eachlamina are always overlapped by the other lamina.

It is to be pointed out that the intermediate body that is incooperative sealing relation with the end face sealing means and theedge sealing means can have modified cross-sectional shapes. Thus,FIGURE 13 illustrates an arrangement in which the edge sealing means 43is accommodated in a groove 2 formed in the edge of the rotor 1 and theend face of the rotor has a groove to accommodate sealing strips such as14, 15. The enlarged portion of the groove 2 instead of being circularis shaped to accommodate an intermediate coupling and sealing body 25having strip contacting surfaces 25' that extend approximately parallelto the outer face portions of the rotor 2 on opposite sides of the apex.The resilient strips 14 and 15 bear against the surfaces 25 intangential contact leaving a clearance space 26 at the ends of the axialgrooving. The edge strip means 48' is of course constructed of two ormore parts so as to provide for axial movement of these parts as in theaforedescribed modifications.

In FIGURE 14 the intermediate body is shaped as shown at 27,"and has apentagonal cross section. The outer surface of this intermediate body isprovided with a groove 28 that accommodates the edge sealing strip means48. The metal strips 14, 15 are again accommodated in axially extendinggrooving provided in the end face of the rotor and the adjacent end faceof the sealing plate so arranged relative to the intermediate bodies 27that the ends of strip means 14 of laminar construction as set forthabove abut the intermediate bodies 27 along a line parallel to the axisof the rotor 1, whereas the strip means 15 is accommodated in a grooveor socket 18' extending inwardly from the opposite end face of thebodies 27 at right angles to said opposite end face.

FIGURE 15 illustrates a modification in which the edge sealing means issimilar to that shown in FIGURES 16 to 18 and the intermediate body 29is of inverted Y shape and includes three legs 30, 33, and 34. Theoutwardly projecting leg 3i) is accommodated in a groove 31 formedV inthe undersurface of the edge sealing strip means 50, 48 while the legs33 and 34 are accommodated in the axially extending grooving provided'inthe end face of the rotor and the adjacent end face of the seal platefor receiving the metal strip means. In this case the metal strip means14 and 15 are in doubleply relationship so that one portion thereofoverlaps the gaps at the ends of the legs 33, 34 as shown at 32. Theouter surfaces of the legs 33, 34 are cutaway to permit this overlap.

The aforedescribed modifications includev in all cases end face sealingmeans that comprise a rst sealing surface forming means in the form ofthe end plate or plates that is movable axially of the rotor 1 and asecond sealing surface forming means comprised by the resilient stripmeans such as 14, 15 that bridge the gap between the rotor 1 and the endplates and which strip means move transversely of the axis of the rotor.The invention further contemplates an arrangement in which these twosealing surface forming means are combined in one component structuralmember, which has one surface to seal against the end wall 21 ofthe'outer body and another surface Which seals against the rotor body 1.FIG- URE 20 illustrates an embodiment in which the end `face sealingmeans is a resilient strip that is angle-shaped in cross sectionincluding one leg 52 that applies against the inner face of end wall 21in response to axial movement and another leg 54 accommodated in anaxially extending groove directed inwardly from the end face of rotor 1.Thus, as indicated by arrow Q the angle-shaped sealing strip means 52will seal against the inner surface of the end wall 21 and the innerface of the groove in the rotor and thus bridge the gap between therotor and end wall. Claw coupling means are likewise employed in thisrelationship as diagrammatically indicated at 56.

FIGURE 21 illustrates a variant of the structure in FIGURE 20 in whichthe angle-shaped sealing strip means 53 is coupled to the rotor body bya claw coupling means 57 including teeth formed on the axially extendingleg of the sealing strip means and cooperating teeth formed on a segment57a that is positioned in the grooving in the rotor 1 and extending fromapex portion to apex portion.

FIGURE 22 illustrates a further modification in which the resilient endface sealing strip means is T-shaped in cross section, has claw couplingteeth 60 on its outer leg and the intermediate leg or section 59 isaccommodated in the axial grooving in the rotor 1.

FIGURE 23 illustrates a further modification in which the end facesealing means 61 are in the form of a rectangular section, segmentalstrip means accommodated in an axially extending grooving 62 disposedbetween the apex portions of the rotor 1. Resilient metal strip means 63are arranged between the strip means 61 and the rotor body andaccommodated in axially extending grooves as shown.

In each of the aforegoing modilications in FIGURES 20 to 23 it is to beunderstood that the respective resilient strips means, 52, 53, 58 and 61extend between successive apex portions, and that they are in sealingcontact with an intermediate sealing and coupling body in each apexportion and the respective coupling bodies are in sealing contact withthe edge strip means as previously described. This relationship is moreclearly il lustrated in FIGURES 24 to 26 illustrating a cross-sectionalrelationship similar to that shown in FIGURE 20. In FIGURE 24 theintermediate connecting body 64 has surfaces which contact theundersurface of the toothed angle-shaped, in this instance segmentalsealing strip elements 52. The teeth on the strip elements are denotedat 56 and the notches between the teeth accommodate projections 56aextending axially of rotor 1. The edge seal can be of the type shown inFIGURES 16 to 1S. FIGURES 25 and 26 respectively illustrate the sealingrelation between the intermediate coupling and sealing body 64 and thesealing strip 52 and the adjacent end face of the end wall 21 as well asthe sealing relation be;

aos/asso tween the resilient strip means 52 and the grooving in therotor body 1 accommodating these strip means.

It is believed clear that Ithe shape of the bodies 64 can be varied solong as there are surfaces such as 65 permitting tangential Contact withthe nndersurface of the sealing strip means 52.

The immediately aforementioned FGURES 23 to 26 all relate toarrangements in which the end face sealing means is comprised byseparate resilient strips extending between the respective apex portionsof the rotor and in sealing relation at the apex portions with theintermediate coupling and sealing bodies, which are in turn in sealingrelation with the edge strip sealing means, so that a continuous seal isprovided around the end face of the rotor and an effective continuoussealing line of contact is obtained. With regard to the area of sealingcontact between the inner surface of the end wall or walls of the outerbody and the axially movable end face sealing components carried by therotor, the relationship between the surface area in contact with the endwall of the outer body and the surface area under pressure of the gaswithin the chambers is important. The engagement of the end face sealingmeans against the inner surface of the end wall or walls of the outerbody is effected by the pressure of the gas within the working chambers.This pressure is effective on the surface area of the strip meansengaging the end wall of the outer body. A hydrostatic counterpressureis built up within this surface area of contact which varies dependingon the accuracy of the respective faces in engagement and on thel degreeof lubrication between these faces. A surface area of sealing contactthat is small in relation to the surface area of the axially movable endseal components that are subjected to the pressure from the gases in thechambers is effective but establishes high specific pressures with theconsequent risk of rapid wear. Therefore, the ratio between the surfacearea contacting the inner surfaces of the outer body end walls and thesurface area acted on by the gas pressure must be so related as toobtain an eiiective sealing contact while minimizing wear possibilities.it has been discovered that this ratio of surface area should lie withnthe range of 2 and 1 in order to provide an effective and long livedseal. FIGURES 27 and 28 illustrate this relationship as applied to anend plate sealing element 12. The area-under pressure is denoted by thereference character P' whereas the area in Contact with the innersurface of end wall 2l is denoted by the reference character F. As shownin these figures the surface area F of contact against end wall 2 isapproximately double the surface area P that is subjected to gaspressure.

It is to be pointed out that the resiliency of the component parts thatconstitute the several forms of edge seal means is comparable to theworking conditions for piston rings.

Further, the dimensions of the edge seal components, while exaggeratedin the drawings are small as regards their width and thickness. As anexample the total width of an edge seal means in one embodiment of anengine whose outer body has a major axis approximately l inches long isabout 2 mm. A much larger engine can 'utilize the same width of sealcomponents and thus provide for increased resiliency.

What is claimed is:

l. A sealing arrangement for the working chambers of a rotary mechanismincluding an outer body having axially-spaced end walls and a peripheralwall interconnecting said end walls to form a cavity therebetween; andan inner body received within said cavity and having axially-spaced endfaces disposed adjacent to and having continuous sealing cooperationwith said end walls and also having a plurality ofcircumferentially-spaced apex portions each extending from one end faceto the other and having continuous sealing cooperation with the innersurface of said peripheral wall to form a plurality of working chambersbetween said inner body and peripheral wall which vary upon relativerotation of said inner and outer bodies; said sealing arrangementcomprising radially-movable edge seal means carried by said inner bodyat each of its said apex portions with said edge seal means havingperipheral-wall-engaging seal faces along their radially outer edges andhaving endwall-engaging seal faces at their ends; end face sealing meanscarried by said inner body at an end face thereof and including axiallymovable means having end-wallcngaging seal faces; and a plurality ofaxially-movable intermediate sealing bodies carried by said inner bodyat said last-mentioned end face thereof, there being one suchintermediate sealing body at each apex portion of said inner body, eachsaid intermediate sealing body being disposed radially inwardly of theradially outermost part of its associated apex portion and havingsealing cooperation with the adjacent edge seal means and with adjacentportions of said end face sealing means throughout relative movement ofsaid inner and outer bodies.

2. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim l and in which each saidedge seal means is axially extendible and comprises at least tworadially-movable seal members.

3. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein extending inwards fromthe outer periphery of the inner body and shaped to accommodate bothsaid edge seal means and said intermediate sealing bodies, said end facesealing means including a portion on each side of each apex portionhaving a surface extending parallel to the axis of said inner body andsocketed therein for sealing engagement with said inner body and saidintermediate sealing bodies, each sealing member of said edge seal meanshaving an axial extent less than the distance between said end walls andhaving adjacent surfaces meeting along a plane passing transverselythrough the associated groove at an acute angle to the base of thegroove.

4. A sealing arrangement as claim in claim 3 in which said plane extendsfrom the base of the groove outwardly towards the said end face, saidadjacent surfaces having oppositely directed grooves therein, andsealing insert means in such grooves.

5. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein extending inwards fromthe outer periphery of the inner body and shaped to accommodate bothsaid edge seal means and said intermediate sealing bodies, said end facesealing means including a portion on each side of each apex portionhaving a surface extending parallel to the axis of said inner body andsocketed therein for sealing engagement with said inner body and saidintermediate sealing bodies, each said intermediate sealing body havinga groove therein extending radially inwards from its outer periphery,said sealing members being accommodated within said last-mentionedgroove, each sealing member having an axial extent less than thedistance between said end walls and having abutting side surfaces andmeans operatively associatedwith the sealing members and hav` ing anextent transversely of the groove in the sealing body corresponding tothe combined extent in the same direction of said sealing members anddisposed between the base of the groove in the sealing body and saidsealing members, and said last-mentioned means having an upper surfacebridging the gap along the adjacent end wall of the hollow body thatforms upon axial movement of the sealing members.

6. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim S in which saidlast-mentioned means is integral with one of said sealing members.

7. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein extending inwards fromthe outer periphery of the inner body and Shaped to accommodate bothsaid edge seal means and said intermediate sealing bodies, said end facesealing means includinga portion on each side of each apex portionhavingAa surface extending parallel to the axis of said inner body andsocketed therein for sealing yengagement with said inner body and saidintermediate Asealing bodies, each sealing member of the edge seal meanshaving an axial extent less than the distance between said end walls andhaving side surfaces meeting along an approximately radial plane passingthrough the axis of the inner body. i

8. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein extending inwards fromthe outer periphery of the inner body and shaped to accommodate bothsaid edge seal means and said intermediate sealing bodies, said end facesealing means including a portion on each side of each apex portionhaving a surface extending parallel to the axis of said inner body andsocketed therein for sealing engagement with said inner body and saidintermediate sealing bodies, each sealing member of said edge seal meanshaving an axial extent less than the distance between saidend wallsand'having side surfaces meeting along a plane extending approximatelydiagonally of the groove.

9. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein extending inwards fromthe outer periphery of the inner body and shaped to accommodate bothsaid edge seal means and said intermediate sealing bodies, said end facesealing means including a portion on each side of each apex portionhaving a surface extending parallel to the axis of said inner body andsocketed therein for sealing engagement with said inner body and saidintermediate sealing bodies, each said intermediate sealing body havinga groove therein extending radially inwards from its outer periphery,said sealing members being accommodated with said last-mentioned groove,each sealing member having an axial extent less than the distancebetween said end walls and having abutting side surfaces and meansoperatively associated with the sealing members and having an extenttransversely of the groove in the sealing body corresponding to thecombined extent inthe same direction of said sealing members anddisposed between the base of the groove in the sealing body and saidsealing members, and said last-mentioned means comprlsing a separatesealing body underlying both said sealing members.

10. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein extending inwards fromthe outer periphery of the inner body and shaped'to accommodate bothsaid edge seal means and said intermediate sealing bodies, said end facesealing means including a segmental portion on each side of each apexportion having a surface extending parallel to the axis of said innerbody and socketed therein for sealing engagement with said inner body,and said intermediate sealing bodies having surfaces in sealing relationwith the adjacent ends of said segmental portions.

11. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein extending inwards fromthe outer periphery of the rotor and shaped to accommodate both saidedge seal means and said intermediate sealing bodies, said end facesealing means including a segmental portion on each side of each apexportion having a surface extending parallel to the axis of said rotorand socketed therein for sealing engagement with said rotor and saidintermediate sealing bodies having surfaces in overlapping sealingengagement with the adjacent ends of said segmental portions.

12. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim l wherein said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein extending inwards fromthe outer periphery of the inner body and shaped to accommodate bothsaid edge seal means and said intermediate sealing bodies, said end facesealing means including a segmental portion on each side of each apexportion having a surface extending parallel to the axis of said innerbody and socketed therein for Youter ends of each part and the adjacentinner ends of the parts on one lamina being overlapped by one part inVthe next lamina.

13. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim l wherein said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein extending inwards fromthe outer periphery of the inner body and shaped to accommodate bothsaid edge seal means and said intermediate sealing bodies, said end facesealing means including a segmental portion on each side of each `apexportion having a surface extending parallel to the axis of said innerbody and socketed therein for Sealing engagement with said inner body,and said intermediate sealing bodies having sockets therein on each sideof the associated apex portion accommodating in sealing engagement theends of said segmental portions.

14. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 Wherein said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein extending inwards fromthe outer periphery of the inner body and shaped to accommodate bothsaid edge seal means and said intermediate sealing bodies, said end facesealing means including a portion on each side of each apex portionhaving a surface extending parallel to the axis of said inner body andsocketed therein for sealing engagement with said innerbody and saidintermediate sealing bodies, and one of said sealing bodies and edgeseal means having a radially extending groove therein and the other ofsaid sealing body and edge seal means having at least a portion iitttingwithin said groove.

' l5. VA sealing arrangement as claimed in claim l Wherein said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein extending inwards fromthe outer periphery of the inner body and shaped to accommodate bothsaid edge seal means and said intermediate sealing bodies, said end facesealing means including a portion on each side of each apex portionhaving a surface extending parallel to the axis of said inner body andsocketed therein for sealing engagement with said inner body and saidintermediate sealing bodies, each said sealing body having a groovetherein extending radially inwards from its outer periphery and theadjacent edge seal means being socketed within said groove.

16. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein extending inwards fromthe outer periphery of the inner body and shaped to accommodate bothsaid edge seal means and said intermediate sealing bodies, said end facesealing means including a portion on each side of each apex portionhaving a surface extending parallel to the axis of said inner body andsocketed therein for sealing engagement with said inner body and saidintermediate sealing bodies, each said edge seal means having a groovetherein extending radially outwards from its inner periphery and theadjacent intermediate sealing body having a portion iitting within saidlast-mentioned groove.

17. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein extending inwards fromthe outer periphery ofthe rotor and shaped to accommodate both said edgeseal means and said intermediate sealing bodies, said end face sealingmeans including a segmental portion on each side of each apex portionhaving a surface extending parallel to the axis of said rotor andsocketed therein for sealing engagement with said rotor and saidintermediate sealing bodies, said end face sealing means also having acut-out to accommodate said bodies, each said edge seal means having agroove therein extending radially outwards from its inner periphery withthe adjacent intermediate sealing body having a portion tting withinsaid last-mentioned groove, and said segmental portions comprisingresilient strip means having portions extending parallel to the innerbody axis, disposed radially inwardly of the adjacent edge seal meansand bridging the space between said intermediate sealing bodies and theedges of the cut-outs.

18. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 and in which each saidintermediate sealing body has an endwall-engaging seal face.

19. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which said apexportions have axially extending grooves therein accommodating said edgeseal means and said intermediate sealing bodies.

20. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 and in which saidintermediate sealing bodies each have an axialiy extending groovetherein accommodating their associated edge seal means. j

21. A sealing arrangement for the working chambers of a rotary mechanismincluding an outer body having spaced end walls and a peripheral wallinterconnecting said end walls to define between said wallsl a cavityhaving an axis along which the end walls are spaced, and an inner bodyreceived within said outer body cavity for relative rotation withrespect to the outer body with the axis of the inner body beinglaterally spaced from, but parallel to, the axis of the outer bodycavity, said inner body having axiallyspaced end faces disposed adjacentto and having continuous sealing cooperation with said end walls andhaving an outer surface with a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced apexportions each extending from one end face to the other and havingcontinuous sealing cooperation with the inner surface of said peripheralwall to form a plurality of working chambers between said inner body andperipheral wall, each of said working chambers extending from one apexportion of the inner body to an adjacent apex portion and varying involume upon relative rotation of said inner and outer bodies; saidsealing arrangement comprising radially-movable edge seal means carriedby and extending along each of said apex portions within a groove insaid apex portion extending from one end face to the other of the innerbody, said edge seal means having peripheral-wall-engaging seal facesalong their radially outer edges and having end-wall-engaging seal facesat their ends; a plurality of seal strips received within grooves in anend face of said inner body, there being one such end face seal stripfor and extending between each pair of adjacent apex portions with eachof said seal strips being movable in a direction parallel to the axis ofthe inner body and having an end-wall-engaging seal face; and aplurality of intermediate seal members carried by said inner body, therebeing one such intermediate seal member in and at an end of each saidapex portion groove for sealing engagement with the adjacent end of anedge seal means and with the adjacent ends of a pair of end face sealstrips, each said intermediate seal member being disposed radiallyinwardly of the outermost part of its associated apex portion and beingmovable in a direction parallel to the axis of the inner body and havingan end-wall-engaging seal face.

22. A sealing arrangement as recited in claim 21 in which each apexgrove has an enlarged bottom portion within which an associatedintermediate seal member is received and each said intermediate sealmember has a slot in its radially outer side within which the radiallyinner edge of the associated apex seal means is received.

23. A sealing arrangement as recited in claim 22 in which each end facesealing strip has a leg portion extending axially into the associatedend face groove and has another portion extending laterally from theouter end of said leg portion and having said end-wall-engaging sealface.

24. A sealing arrangement as recited in claim 21 and including means onsaid inner body engageable with said end face seal strips to preventmovement of said seal strips along their respective grooves.

25. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 2l and in which end ofeach face seal strip overlaps a portion of the adjacent intermediateseal member for sealing engagement therewith.

26. A sealing arrangement for the variable volume chambers of a rotarymechanism comprising relatively rotatable elements including a hollowbody having axially spaced end walls and an axially extending peripheralwall,

a rotor mounted within said hollow body and havingJ axially spaced endfaces having continuous sealing cooperation with said end walls and aperipheral outer surface, said rotor having an axial extent less thanthe distance between said end walls, the inner surface of saidperipheralv wall and said peripheral outer surface having cooperativelyshaped facing surfaces to generate a plurality of said' variable volumeworking chambers upon relativev rotation of said elements, said facingsurfaces including a plurality of apex means on said rotor spacedcircumferentially about the axis thereof and having continuous sealingcooperationy with said peripheral Wall, said sealing arrangementcomprising an edge seal means comprising an axially extendable radiallymovable seal including at least two cooperating members associated witheach apex means, each apex means having a groove therein extendingradially inwards from and axially along the periphery thereof, eachgroove accommodating said cooperating members, at least one end face ofsaid rotor having axially extending grooving disposed inwardly of butadjacent said peripheral outer surface, segmental sealing sectionsextending between adjacent apex portions and accommodated in saidgrooving, an axially movable intermediate sealing body disposed in eachgroove, said segmental sections having ends in sealing contact withadjacent sealing bodies, end-wall-engaging sealing means interconnectedwith said segmental sections, each of said cooperating members of eachedge seal means being in sealing engagement with the intermediatesealing body in the associated groove, and each intermediate sealingbody and at least one of said at least two cooperating members having anend-wall-engaging seal face.

27. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 26 in which saidend-wall-engaging sealing means is integrally interconnected with saidsegmental sealing sections.

28. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 26 in which saidend-wall-engaging sealing means is integrally interconnected with saidsegmental sealing sections and said interconnected segmental sectionsand means are rectangular in cross section.

29. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 26, and in which the ratioof the area of the end-wall-engaging seal surface of saidend-wall-engaging sealing means to the area of said sealing meanssubjected to pressure from within said chambers is between 2 and 1.

30. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 26 includingend-wall-engaging sealing means having a cut-out therein adjacent eachapex portion, said end of the rotor having an axial projection disposedin each cut-out.

3l. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 26 in which saidend-wall-engaging sealing means has a cut-out in the peripheryaccommodating said intermediate sealing body, said end-wall-engagingsealing means also having a cut-out disposed on each side of saidintermediatesealing body in alignment with said axially extendinggrooving and the ends of said segmental sections having an axiallywidened portion disposed in said last-mentioned cut-outs and having anend face sealing against said end wall.

32. A sealing arrangement for the working chambers of a rotary mechanismincluding an outer body having axially-spaced end walls and a peripheralWall interconnecting said end walls to form a cavity therebetween; andan inner body received within said cavity and having axially-spaced endfaces disposed adjacent to and having continuous sealing cooperationwith said end walls and also having a plurality ofcircumferentially-spaced apex portions, each extending from one end faceto the other and having continuous sealing cooperation with the innersurface of said peripheral wall to form a plurality of work- 15 ingchambers between said inner bodyand peripheral wall which Vary uponrelative rotation of said inner and outer bodies; said sealingarrangement comprising apex seal means carried by said inner body ateach of its said apex portions with said apex seal means having radiallymovable edge seal portions with peripheral-wall-engaging seal facesalong their radially outer edges and also having end wall seal portionswith end-wall-engaging seal faces; end face sealing means carried bysaid inner body at an Vend face thereof and including axially movablemeans having endwall-engaging seal faces; and a plurality ofaxially-movable intermediate sealing bodies carried by said inner bodyat said last-mentioned end face thereof, there being one suchintermediate sealing body at each apex portion of said inner body, eachsaid intermediate sealing body being disposed radially inwardly of theradially outermost part of its associated apex portion and havingsealing cooperation with the adjacent apex seal means and Withtheadjacent portions of said end face sealing means, aridV said apexseal means, said end face sealing means and the intermediate sealingbodies providing a continuous seal en- 1 gagement between said inner andouter bodies to seal said Working chambers from each otherzand from thesurrounding atmosphere throughout relative movement of said inner'andouter bodies. Y

33,. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 32 in'Y which the apexseal means and the end face sealing means are disposed in grooves in theinner body andthe intermediate sealing body seals oi communicationbetween respective grooves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

